Manufacture of paper-pulp



PATENT STEPHEN M. ALLEN, OF DUXBUBY, MASSACHUSETTS.

MANUFACTURE OF PAPER-PULP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,771, dated August 4, 1885.

Application filed April 6, 1885.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, STEPHEN M. ALLEN, of Duxbury, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Manufacture of Paper-Pulp, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention relates to processes or methods of treating wood and other vegetable fiber of a peculiar chemical and mechanical constitution for the production therefrom of paper-pulp.

Theinvention consists, principally, in fibrilizing wood and other fibers heretofore considered useless for pulping owing to the peculiarity of the cementing compound which binds the filaments together, and which, when dried and hardened, will not become soft and flexible again under ordinary treatment, and which, if made into pulp or paper, renders the fiber so brittle as to be worthless.

Use has been made heretofore of both resinous and non-resinous woods in the manufacture of ground wood-pulp, and I have already obtained a number of patents relating to such manufacture. The selections of resinous woods for white paper has almost entirely been confined to spruce and pine, while those nourished by acidulated sap have in like manner been confined to poplar wood. There is a class of woods lying between these differing both in chemical and mechanical construction of fiber, which practically belongs to neither of the before-named classes, and which has never been used to any extent for crushed or ground pulp, for the reason that they could not be practically fibrilized under any ordinary process. The sap or flowing juices of such woods partake of what is equivalent to an albuminous character, which, when evaporated, leave the fiber hard and brittle, and a substance in some respects similar to resin, yet not partaking of the same chemical constituents, is deposited between the fibers. This brings the wood into such condition that it cannot be ground into pulp without flowing and rendering it unfit for paper on account of its coarse, brittle character. If steamed or cooked without proper preparation and care this substance becomes coagulated and more brittle than be- (No specimens.)

fore, while if treated simply'with cold water it does not soften or dissolve. Among the woods of this character may be named oak, chestnut, birch, walnut, and ash, and other woods and shrubs, such as cottonwood, alder, cane-pole, sugar-cane, cactus, and some of the grasses.

My invention consists in successfully fibrilizing the above-named woods and plants, and in practically overcoming the difficulties pointed out.

In order to explain the invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I will describe its application to one of these woods which is very common in the United States. I take, for example, the chestnut tree, using both limbs and bark, if desired, and reduce the same to convenient lengths and size for use, generally removing the ross or fiberless part of the bark by hand or proper machinery. I "first properly prepare the wood by splitting, crushing between rolls or hammers, tearing or stripping the same longitudinally, or chipping or cutting diagonally across the line of the layers and fibers of the stick, as described in previous patents issued to me. I then slowly vaporize or steep the same in water, acids, or alkalies, and sometimes ferment it. After this operation has continued a sufficient time the liquor may be raised to or above the boiling-point, though this is not essential. I then crush, grind, beat, and pulp the mass in any well-known way until fit for final use. The last step of the process may, without detriment, be performed before the steeping or vaporizing. WVhen thus ground or softened, the mass is washed either in the original grinder or beater or in a separate vat or tub, which process works out the coagulative substances, so that the fiber, if boiled subsequently in water, alkali, or acid 'will not set or become hard or brittle, but may be ICO tively nonvolatile oil made from animal, vegetable, or mineral secretions. This sizing is applied in the usual way.

Having thus fully described my said invention, I clai1n 1. In the manufacture of pulp or paper stock from woods having the characteristics specified, the improvement consisting in slowly steaming or vaporizing the same at a suitable stage in the process, and then working into pulp or paper in any ordinary way, substantially as described.

2. lhe process of making paper-pulp from wood or vegetable fiber oi" the kind specified by properly cutting, stripping, and reducing the same, then treating with steam or vapor, or steeping in a bath, then washing out the coagulative matter and continuing its manufiicturc into pulp in any suitable way, substantially as described.

STEPHEN M. ALLEN.

X'Vitnesses:

A. G. FLAGG, 1I. XV. loou. 

